Recognizing the dedication and commitment of anesthesiologists to improve the field of anesthesiology and patient safety
Newswise — The American Society of Anesthesiologists joins communities across the United States today to recognize Doctors Day 2010, a day with a special tie to anesthesiology.
While physicians in all specialties are honored, Doctors Day was first observed in recognition of the efforts of one physician whose endeavors relate specifically to the specialty of anesthesiology.
Doctors Day marks the date that Crawford W. Long, M.D., of Jefferson, GA, administered the first ether anesthetic for surgery on March 30, 1842. On that day, Dr. Long administered ether anesthesia to a patient and then operated to remove a tumor from the man’s neck. Later, the patient would swear that he felt nothing during the surgery and wasn’t aware the surgery was over until he awoke
Doctors Day celebrates Dr. Long’s historic achievement and the continued efforts of physicians to alleviate human suffering and improve patient safety.
“Without the efforts of Dr. Long, the miracles of modern medicine and surgery as we know them would not exist,” said ASA president Alexander Hannenberg, M.D. “Anesthesiologists have continued to make medical and research advances, creating a specialty comprised of highly trained physicians whose track record in advancing patient safety is unparalleled.”
Today's anesthesiologists are innovators in their field, continuing a long tradition of advancing the practice of modern medicine. Even after residency training is completed, they continue studying new medical advances and anesthetic techniques, so that every patient experience can be safer than the next. Research and training are conducted in subspecialty areas of anesthesia practice including obstetrics, critical care, pediatrics, cardiac surgery and pain medicine. On Doctors Day, ASA encourages its members educate to colleagues, patients and the public about Doctors Day and the contributions of anesthesiologists to the safety and well-being of patients.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists Anesthesiologists: Physicians providing the lifeline of modern medicine. Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific association with 44,000 members organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient.
For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists Web site at www.asahq.org. For patient information, visit lifelinetomodernmedicine.com.
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